Bicycle rear view mirror

ABSTRACT

A rear view bicycle mirror assembly ( 10 ) for attachment to a bicycle frame ( 3 ) comprising a mirror ( 14 ) and mounting body ( 12 ). The mounting body ( 12 ) comprising a mounting means for mounting the mirror onto the frame of the bicycle. The mounting means comprises a first mounting foot ( 18 ) for abutment and mounting on a first tube ( 6 ) of the bicycle frame, and a second mounting foot ( 24 ) for abutment and engaging a second tube ( 4 ) of the bicycle frame at an angle to said first tube and first mounting foot.

The present invention relates to a rear view mirror for a bicycle.

A problem faced by all cyclists is that of watching traffic approachingfrom behind. Generally, a cyclist has to look back over his or hershoulder. This can be difficult and/or dangerous, possibly causing acyclist to wobble. Racing cyclists may also want to watch competitorsapproaching from behind, but turning whilst racing can cause a loss ofrhythm, disrupts the aerodynamic posture and can be difficult whilstexerting maximum effort on the pedals, all leading to an undesirableloss in performance.

As a result it has been proposed for cyclists to use rear view mirrors.One proposal is to fit and mount such mirrors on the handle bars of abicycle. However such mirrors tend to stick out significantly of thesides of the bike, are cumbersome, and are not aerodynamic. Furthermorethe mirrors will turn with the handle bars adversely affecting rearwardview.

An alternative, arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,774 and U.S.Pat. No. 3,995,945 in which it is proposed to mount a mirror onto thefront forks of the bicycle. Whilst this is less cumbersome than handlebar mounting of the mirror, this arrangement still suffers from theproblem of the mirror turning when the bike turns corners.

It has also been proposed, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,567 andU.S. Pat. No. 5,563,742, to provide and mount a relatively large rearview mirror on the frame of a bicycle, with the mirror extendinglaterally either side of, and over, the frame to which it is mounted inorder to provide a rear view. In these arrangements a clamping means isprovided to clamp a mirror in position on a tube of the bike frame. Aproblem with such arrangements is that the mirror and clamping mountingarrangement can twist, in use, about the generally cylindrical frametube with the result that the mirror twists out of position, and evenworse may foul other parts of the bike (wheels/pedals etc) or the rider.Furthermore the tubes of bike frames have a wide variety of differentdimensions and may even have elliptical cross sections leading todifficulties with such clamping arrangements. In addition the mirrorsproposed have a significant area and are therefore undesirable from anaerodynamic or convenience perspective.

A further problem with some of the prior arrangements relates to thesecuring of the angular position of the mirror. Typically there is amounting which attaches the mirror assembly to the bike frame whilst themirror is then adjustably secured to the mounting. This allows theangular position of the mirror to be adjusted to provide good rearwardvisibility with the mirror being held in position by frictionalengagement. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,742, U.S. Pat. No.4,326,724 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,945 the mirror is secured to themounting via a ball and socket arrangement. Consequently in use themirror position can alter and in some cases can move to a position whereit may foul the rider or some part of the bike. In U.S. Pat. No.3,981,567 an alternative arrangement is used with the mirror held inposition about a pivot axis by frictional clamping alone.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved rear view mirror for abicycle which addresses the above described problems and/or which offersimprovements generally. In particular it is desirable to provide animproved bicycle rear view mirror which is securely mountable to abicycle frame, is easy and quick to fit, lightweight, and does notdamage the bike frame. Furthermore and/or alternatively it is desirableto provide an arrangement in which the mirror is more securely held inposition.

According to the present invention there is provided a bicycle rear viewmirror as described in the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of a first aspect of the invention there is provided arear view bicycle mirror assembly for attachment to a bicycle framecomprising a mirror and mounting body comprising a mounting means formounting the mirror onto the frame of the bicycle. The mounting meanscomprises a first mounting foot for abutment and mounting on a firsttube of the bicycle frame, and a second mounting foot for abutment andengaging a second tube of the bicycle flame at an angle to said firsttube and first mounting foot.

In such an arrangement the rear view mirror can be securely located onthe frame of a bicycle in a simple convenient and effective manner.

The mirror is preferably pivotally attached to said mounting body andmounting means. The pivotal mounting preferably comprises a pin whichdefines a pivot axis about which the mirror pivots.

Additionally the pivotal attachment of the mirror and mounting means mayinclude a pivotal movement stop which restricts the pivotal movement ofthe mirror with respect to the mounting means.

The pivotal movement stop prevents the mirror from pivoting to aposition where it may undesirably foul other parts of the bicycle and/orrider and also ensures the mirror is generally in the correct angularposition.

Such an arrangement allows adjustment of the mirror to the requiredangle for rearward viewing by a rider.

The mirror is preferably attached to one side of the mounting means suchthat when the assembly is fitted to the bicycle frame the mirror isdisposed laterally to one side of the frame.

Such lateral, offset, mounting of the mirror conveniently positions themirror such that a clear unobstructed rearward view can be achievedwithout being obscured by the frame and allows a smaller less obtrusivemirror to be used as well as locating the mirror in a less obtrusiveposition.

The first mounting foot has a curved profile which defines a curvedabutment surface for, in use, abutment against the first tube of thebicycle. Furthermore the second mounting foot has a curved profile whichdefines a curved abutment surface for, in use, abutment against thesecond tube of the bicycle.

This curved profile locates the mounting to the tubes of the bicycleframe.

The first mounting foot is advantageously flexible and is capable ofdeforming to an outer profile of the first tube. As such the mountingcan be fitted securely to different shapes and sizes of frame tubes.

In the preferred embodiments the first mounting foot is adapted to abutand mount against a down tube of the bicycle frame and the secondmounting foot is adapted and arranged to abut and mount against a headtube of the bicycle frame.

In an embodiment of a second aspect of the invention there is provided arear view bicycle mirror assembly for attachment to a bicycle framecomprising a mirror and a mounting arrangement for mounting the mirrorto the frame of the bicycle. The mounting means comprises a pin whichprojects laterally from the bicycle frame and upon which the mirror ispivotally mounted. The pivotal mounting of the mirror and pin includescooperating engagement means which in use are cooperatively engaged andrestrict the pivotal movement of the mirror with respect to the pin.

The cooperating engagement means restricts and secures the angularpivotal position of the mirror and prevents the mirror from pivoting toa position where it may undesirably foul other parts of the bicycleand/or rider and also ensures the mirror is generally in the correctangular position.

The cooperating engagement means when engaged permit limited degree ofpivotal movement.

In this way a limited adjustment of the angular position of the mirroris provided whilst the mirror is still secured and prevent from pivotingtoo far to a position where it may foul the rider or other parts of thebicycle.

The cooperating engagement means may comprise a tang which engageswithin a recess. Preferably the tang projects from the pin and therecess is defined within a mirror element assembly. The said recess maycomprise an arcuate recess thereby permitting a limited degree ofpivotal movement. The said recess may comprise a plurality of discreterecesses in which the tang engages a respective recess in order tosecure the mirror in the required position.

The pin may be adapted to be engaged within an aperture of bike frame.Preferably the pin comprises a hexagonal head portion and the saidaperture is of a cooperating hexagonal profile.

The aperture may be defined within the bicycle frame. Alternatively theaperture may be defined in a mounting boss attached to the bicycleframe.

The present invention will flow be described by way of example only withreference to the following figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a bicycle fitted with a bicycle rearview mirror of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 a is a front view of the bicycle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed perspective view of the bicycle rear viewmirror fitted to the bicycle of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are respectively detailed side and front elevations of thebicycle rear view mirror;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional illustration of the bicycle rear view mirrorassembly along line A—A of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are an exploded perspective illustrations of the bicyclerear view mirror assembly of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the inventionshowing the attachment of the mirror to the bicycle through an aperturein the bicycle frame;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the inventionshowing the attachment of the mirror to the bicycle by means of amounting boss.

Referring to FIG. 1, a typical conventional bicycle 1 includes a frame 3consisting of a number of tubular members 4,6,7,8,9 and in this caseincluding a cross bar 8, seat tube 7, down tube 6, rear forks 9 and headset (or steering) tube 4 all joined (welded) together. The head set tube4 supports rotatably locates a pair of front forks 5 for supporting thefront wheel.

A rear view mirror assembly 10 is mounted on the bike frame 3, towardsthe upper forward end of the down tube 6, at the juncture of the downtube 6 and head tube 4. The rear view mirror assembly 10 mounted uponthe frame 3 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2. The rear view mirrorassembly 10 comprises a main mounting body 12, which extendslongitudinally along part of the down tube 6 and attaches and mounts theassembly 10 to the frame 3, and a mirror element assembly 14, includinga reflective mirror element 16, pivotally attached to the main mountingbody 12. The mirror element 14 is disposed laterally of, and offset Dfrom, the main mounting body 12 and plane F of the frame 3. The mirrorelement assembly 14 is angled such that a rider looking down into themirror element 16 can see to the rear between the frame and riders leg.Typically the mirror element 16 is angled, when mounted upon the bicycle1, so that a line normal to the surface of the mirror element 16 issubstantially parallel to frame 3 and angled upwards and rearwards at anangle of approximately 45° to the horizontal (i.e. with the mirrorelement at an angle of 45° to the horizontal).

The rear view mirror assembly 10 of this embodiment of the invention isshown in isolation in more detail in FIGS. 3 to 7.

The main body 12 of the rear view mirror assembly 10 includes a mainmounting foot 18 disposed longitudinally along the base of the main body12. The main mounting foot 18 comprises flange side projections 19 a,19b which project laterally from each side of the base of the main body 12and away from the base of the main body 12 in a curved arcuate manner todefine a curved mounting abutment surface 20. This curved abutmentsurface 20 generally corresponds to the curved outer profile of a downtube 6 such that the main body 12 is located on the down tube 6 by themounting foot 18 with the mounting foot 18 and flange sides 19 a, 19 bstraddling the down tube 6 and extending part way around the outercircumference of the down tube 6. In effect the curved profile of themounting foot 18 clips over the down tube 6 to locate the main body 12on the down tube 6.

To secure the main body 12 and mounting foot 18 to the down tube 6 apair of strap means (not shown) are provided which pass the throughlocating ports 22 in the main body 12 and extend over the mounting foot18 and around the down tube 6. Recessed strap channels 23 are defined inthe exterior of the side flanges 19 a,19 b to further locate andposition the straps. The straps preferably comprise plastic tie wraps orcable ties which can be tightened and locked in a tightened position,although other similar strap means could be used. When tightened andsecured the straps urge and hold the mounting foot in abutment with thedown tube 6, thereby securing the main body 12 to the down tube 6.

The main body 12 also includes a second, anti rotation, mountingfoot/collar 24. This anti rotation collar 24 is disposed towards one endof the main body 12 and is arranged in use to abut and engage againstthe head tube 4 of the bicycle frame 3 when the main body 12 is fittedto the bicycle 1. The anti rotation collar 24 is of a similarconfiguration to the main mounting foot 18 although considerablyshorter, and comprises a pair of flange mounting arms 25 a,25 b whichproject and extend from the main body 12 in a curved arcuate manner todefine a part collar and curved abutment surface 26. The anti rotationcollar 24 is disposed at an angle to the main body 12 and main mountingfoot 18 with the collar 24 and curved abutment surface 26 disposed at anangle to the longitudinal axis of the main body 12 and to the mainmounting foot 18. The anti rotation collar 24 projects in a generallyforwards longitudinal direction. When fitted to the bicycle 1 the antirotation collar 24 abuts against the outer profile of the head tube 4with the arms 25 a,25 b of the collar 24 straddling the head tube 4 andextending part way around the part of the outer circumference of thehead tube 4. In effect the anti rotation collar clips, at least partway, around and engages the curved outer profile of the head tube 4.

The engagement of the anti rotation collar 24 with the head tube 4, atan angle to the main mounting foot 18 and down tube 6, further locatesthe main body 12 with the anti rotation collar 24 preventing the mainbody 12 and main mounting foot 18 from rotating about the down tube 6.In this way the main body 12 is securely located on the frame 3. Inaddition, and in a similar way to with the main mounting foot 18, afurther securing strap (not shown) passes through a locating port 28around the outside of the collar 24 within recessed strap channels 29 inthe collar arms 25 a, 25 b and around the head tube 4. This strapsecures the collar 24 to, and in abutment with, the head tube 4, therebyensuring and urging the collar 24 into engagement with the head tube 4.This strap and the collar 24 also locates and secures the axial positionof the main body 12 along the down tube 6 preventing the main body 12from in use sliding along the down tube 6. In this way and using thecombination of main mounting foot 18 and anti rotation collar 24 toprovide a mounting means for the main body 12 in engagement with thedown 6 and head 4 tubes and at different respective angles to eachother, the main body 12, and so rear view mirror assembly 10, issecurely, and accurately located and secured to the frame 3.

The angle of the mounting collar 24 to the main mounting foot 18 andlongitudinal axis of the main body 12 operatively generally correspondsto the angle between the down tube 6 and head tube 4 such that whenfitted both abutment surfaces 20,26 of the main mounting foot 18 andcollar 24 abut against the respective exterior circumferences of thedown tube 6 and head tube 4. The angle between the down tube 6 and headtube 4 does not tend to vary considerably from bike to bike and so theassembly 10 can be used on a wide range of different bikes 1, with anyvariation in the angles between the head 4 and down 6 tubes beingaccommodated with the tolerance of the mounting. Alternatively, thecollar 24 could be pivoted with respect to the main body 12 such thatthe angle of the collar 24 to the main mounting foot and main body canbe varied and adjusted to fit on frames 3 with different angles betweenthe head and down tubes 4/6. It will also be appreciated that the mainbody 12 and rear view mirror assembly 10 could be located elsewhere onthe frame 3 at the juncture of other frame tubes, for example at thejuncture of the cross bar 8 and head tube 4. Locating the assembly 10 atthe juncture of the down tube 6 and head tube 4 is though the mostpreferable and convenient location.

The main body 12 and in particular the mounting foot 18 and antirotation collar 24 are preferably fabricated from a moulded resilientplastic material, for example ABS. Consequently the mounting foot 18 andcollar 24 can deform and flex to conform to the outer profile of thedown tube 4 and head tube 6 when fitted and secured to the frame 3. Theassembly 10 can therefore be fitted to a wide variety of bike frameswith varying shapes (circular, oval) and sizes of frame tubes with theresilience accommodating these variations. Fabricating the main partsfrom moulded plastic is also relatively cheap.

The mirror element assembly 14 is pivotally attached to the main body12. The pivotal mounting of the mirror element assembly 14 to the mainmounting body 12 allows the angle of the mirror element 16 to beadjusted for a particular bicycle 1 and rider. In particular suchpivotal angular adjustment is required since the down tubes 6 ofdifferent bicycles 1 and to which the assembly 10 is mounted may be atdifferent angles such that the respective angle of the mirror elementassembly 14 to the main body 12 has to be adjusted in order that themirror element 16 is at the correct operative angle.

The pivotal mounting of the mirror element assembly 14 is provided by alaterally extending mounting pin 30 which is located within a laterallyextending bore 41 defined in the main body 12. The mounting pin 30,which includes shaft 32 with a hexagonal head 34 at one end, iscooperatively engaged within this bore 41 with the head 34 engagedwithin a hexagonal head engaging enlarged end portion 42 a of the bore41. The engagement of the hexagonal head 34 prevents rotation of the pin30. The pin 30 is thereby engaged within the main body 12 with the shaft32 of the pin 30 extending through the bore 41 and projects laterallyfrom one side (as shown right hand side when viewed in a forwarddirection) of the main body 12. A distance tube 36 is fitted onto theprojecting shaft 32 of the pin 30. One end of the distance tube 36comprises a hexagonal head 38 which is engaged within a hexagonal headengaging enlarged portion end 42 b of the bore 41 identical to the ahexagonal head engaging enlarged portion 42 a at the other end of thebore 41 within which the head 34 of the pin 30 is engaged, with thedistance tube 36 being engaged in a similar manner. The other end of thedistance tube 36 stops short of the end of the shaft 32 of pin 30 andincludes a tang 40 projecting from this end of the distance tube 36.

The mirror element assembly 14 comprises a mirror element 16, forexample a silvered glass mirror, which is mounted within a cooperativelyshaped recess 52 defined within a support housing 54 and enclosing theperiphery of the mirror element 16. The housing 54, which supports themirror element 16 also encloses the rear surface of the mirror element16 with the outer profile of the housing having a smooth curriedaerodynamic profile. The recess mounting of the mirror element 16encloses the peripheral edges of the mirror element 16 protecting themirror element 16 with the mirror element 16 being set back within therecess 52 in housing 54. The housing 54 is preferably fabricated from amoulded plastic, for example ABS. Such a plastic material is relativelytough and so protects the mirror element. A plastic moulding is alsorelatively cheap, making the assembly 10 as a whole cheap to produce.

The mirror assembly 14 is pivotally mounted to the main body 12 upon thepin 30 such that the mirror assembly 14 can pivot about the pin axis100, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 3. The projecting end of the pin 30extends though and is cooperatively engaged within a laterally extendingbore 56 defined within a lower portion of the mirror assembly housing54, behind the mirror element 16. The end face of the distance tube 36abuts against the housing 54 thereby spacing the mirror element assembly14 along the pin 30 and laterally from the main body 12. The distancetube 36 setting the optimum offset distance D for the mirror assembly 14from the frame 3 of the bicycle. The distal tip of the pin 30 extendsthrough and projects from the housing bore 56. The mirror elementassembly 14 is secured onto the pin 30 by a locking nut 58 which isfitted onto a threaded distal end of the pin 30. The locking nut 58 alsomaintains engagement of the head 34 of the pin and head 38 of thedistance tube 36 within the main body 12. When the locking nut 58 istightened a load is applied along the axis 100 of the pin 30 and themirror element assembly 14 is frictionally clamped between the lockingnut 58 and distance tube 36 thereby preventing pivotal movement of themirror element assembly 14 about the pin axis 100 and fixing the angularposition of the mirror element assembly 14.

Over an arcuate sector of the circumference of either end of the bore 56the radius of the bore 56 is increased to define an arcuate locatingchannel 57 a,57 b. The projecting tang 40 of the distance tube 36 islocated within this arcuate locating channel 57 b such that pivotalmovement of the mirror element assembly is restricted to the sectorangle of the arcuate channel 57 b by abutment of the tang 40 with theshoulder ends 60 a,60 b of the arcuate channel 57 b. The shoulder ends60 a,60 b provide end stops for the pivoting of the mirror elementassembly 14 about the pin axis 100. In this way the mirror assembly 14is prevented from pivoting too far to a point where it may undesirablyfoul the rider or other parts of the bicycle 1.

The angular position of the tang 40 relative to the assembly as a wholeis fixed and set by the engagement of the hexagonal end 38 of thedistance tube 36 with the mounting body 12. The angular position of thetang 40 relative to the mounting can though, if required for examplewhen fitted to differing bike frames, be adjusted by disassembling theassembly and clocking the distance tube 36 round such that the hexagonalend portion 38 of the distance tube 36 engages the hexagonal aperture ofthe mounting body 12 with the tang 40 in a different angular position.The re-engagement of the hexagonal end portion 38 of the distance tubethen securing the distance tube 36 and tang in a rotated angularposition.

In alternative embodiments the arcuate locating channel 57 a,57 b couldbe replaced by discrete individual locating recesses around the bore 56circumference with the tang 40 selectively engaging a respective recessto set the angular position of the mirror element assembly 14 withrespect to the pin axis 100. In such a case the pivotal position andangle of the mirror assembly 14 is determined by the position of therespective locating recess and the mirror assembly 14 is more securelyheld in the correct angular position than simply relying on thefrictional clamping load provided by the locking nut 58, which in usemay loosen in use due to vibration. The locating channel 57 a,57 b orrecesses could also alternatively comprise separate apertures within thehousing 54 rather than enlarged portions of the bore 56.

The pivotal mounting arrangement of the mirror element assembly 14 viathe pin 30 and the use of a tang 40 engaged within a recess 57 a,57 b tolimit pivotal angular movement are significant features and aspect initself. Accordingly in alternate embodiments of this aspect alone of theinvention, the pin 30 and distance tube 36 arrangement could be directlyattached or mounted to the bicycle frame 3 without the mounting body 12described above. For example, in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 8,there is a hexagonal aperture 62 through the bicycle frame within whichthe pin 30 and distance tube 36 are located. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 9, the bicycle frame 3 includes amounting boss 64 within which anaperture is defined into which the pin 30 and distance tube 36 areengaged. The mounting boss 64 may be welded to or integral with theframe 3.

The mirror assembly 14 is preferably mounted upon the offside of theframe 3. For example, on a bicycle 1 for use in countries where vehiclesdrive on the left hand side of the road the mirror assembly 14 it isdisposed on the right hand side of the frame 3, as shown. In countrieswhere vehicles drive on the right hand side of the road, the mirrorassembly 14 would though normally be mounted on the left hand side ofthe frame 3. With the above arrangement this can easily be achievedusing the same components by simply fitting the mounting pin 30 anddistance tube 36 such that they project from the other side of the mainbody 12, with the locating recesses, 42 b, 42 a, 57 a, 57 b all beingprovided on both respective sides of the bore 41 of the main body 12 andbore 56 of the mirror assembly 14.

1. A rear view bicycle mirror assembly for attachment to a bicycle framecomprising a mirror and mounting body comprising a mounting means formounting the mirror onto the frame of the bicycle; wherein the mountingmeans comprises a first mounting foot for abutment and mounting on afirst tube of the bicycle frame, and a second mounting foot for abutmentand engaging a second tube of the bicycle frame at an angle to saidfirst tube and first mounting foot.
 2. The rear view bicycle mirrorassembly of claim 1 in which the mirror is pivotally attached to saidmounting body and mounting means.
 3. The rear view bicycle mirrorassembly of claim 2 in which the mirror is pivotally mounted via apivotal mounting comprising a pin which defines a pivot axis about whichthe mirror pivots.
 4. The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 3in which the pivotal mounting of the mirror and mounting means includesa pivotal movement stop which restricts the pivotal movement of themirror with respect to the mounting means.
 5. The rear view bicyclemirror assembly of claim 1 in which the mirror is attached to one sideof the mounting means such that when the assembly is fitted to thebicycle frame the mirror is disposed laterally to one side of the frame.6. The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 1 in which the firstmounting foot has a curved profile which defines a curved abutmentsurface for, in use, abutment against the first tube of the bicycle. 7.The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 1 in which the secondmounting foot has a curved profile which defines a curved abutmentsurface for, in use, abutment against the second tube of the bicycle. 8.The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 1 in which the firstmounting foot is profiled to, in use, straddle the first tube.
 9. Therear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 1 in which the first mountingfoot is flexible and is capable of deforming to an outer profile of thefirst tube.
 10. The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 1 inwhich the first mounting foot is adapted to abut and mount against adown tube of the bicycle frame and the second mounting foot is adaptedand arranged to abut and mount against a head tube of the bicycle frame.11. The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 1 further comprisingstrap means to secure the first mounting foot and/or second mountingfoot to and in abutment with the respective frame tubes of a bicycle.12. The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 11 in which straplocating ports are defined within the mounting means through which thestrap means pass.
 13. The rear view bicycle mirror assembly of claim 11in which the strap means comprise cable ties.
 14. The rear view bicycleassembly of claim 1 in which the mounting body and mounting means isfabricated from a plastic material.
 15. The rear view bicycle assemblyof claim 14 in which the plastic material is a ABS.
 16. The rear viewbicycle assembly of claim 1 comprising a mirror housing within which themirror is located.